And crazy talent too, kami, which helps.

Yep, you can't beat the Poles.

Oh wait.........

Captain wrote:
Biggus wrote:

Err this is not a Bendtner thread.

Really?

Hmmm my prophetic psychic powers are sensing much anger.

Let it all the negative Chee out Capi.

4 days later

'It feels like he has been around for years'

Wojciech Szczesny may only be 20 but, according to Johan Djourou, he plays with the confidence of a veteran.

The Polish goalkeeper has been one of the success stories of Arsenal's season. Drafted into the first team in December for his Premier League debut at Old Trafford - of all places - Szczesny performed with maturity and assurance.

Injuries to Lukasz Fabianski and Manuel Almunia gave the youngster an extended run in the side and he has taken his chance with aplomb. Szczesny is set to take another step up against Barcelona in the Champions League and Djourou has no doubt that the Pole can perform at the highest level.

"I think he can look after himself," said the Swiss defender. "He has all the abilities and knows what he has to do. We do not have to [look out] for him.

"I have to say he is a great guy and a great goalkeeper. He has a lot of confidence and for a guy of his age to have that is quite impressive. He is very young but it looks as thought he has been in the game ages to me. It is great to have him behind you."

Szczesny may be one of the youngest members of Arsène Wenger's first team but, as Djourou attests, he is no shrinking violet.

"He shouts, he is very loud," said the centre back. "He has presence. He is quite big and is good for defenders. He is not scared about anything. He is a great guy - very confident. If he sees some things, he will tell you.

"I think when you have a keeper behind you who gives you more confidence who is vocal, and comes out for crosses, it is great."

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-it-feels-like-he-has-been-around-for-years-

basically for a defender he is everything the other two aren't.

I think people are harsh on Fanianskis season, though I understand the resentment from last season

And I also agree Shez has better communication and its a much unnoticed feature of a keeper

fabianski's been great this year, no doubt about that. not much between them, but the guys who like technique will like fabianski, and the more old school guys will like chesney.

one thing i have to add is that this is all going to come to a head. both these guys want to be the polish #1, and neither will want to be second fiddle. they're too good to sit on the bench. you have to think the loser might force a move in summer 2012.

Posted on the match thread, but it deserves a post here:

Someone needs to photoshop Dirk Kuyt's head into that picture! 😆

I can't believe this kid. He's one of the greatest goalkeeping talents I've ever seen. How can you look so bored when you're 20 years old and face Barcelona in Champions League? There was this moment when Barca made a substitution and Pedro ran up to Szczesny to tell him what he thought of all the time-wasting last time Snes got hold of the ball. Szczesny just took a sip of water and just stared at him. He looked utterly unimpressed.

monster

that's all

Szczesny is immense.

Love him. He's going to become an Arsenal legend. No doubt.

Granite like confidence at 20 with the talent to back it up.
I never have a moments worry about him in goal, complete trust that he'll do his job.
Even if he did mess up I've no doubt that he'd just bounce straight back.

Love his attitude too as summed up in that goal celebration 🙂

Why stop at Kuyt Klaus?
We could insert a different head into that gif every day of the week.
Pique next.

It's been a long time, it could be a bit premature, but I'm going on the record in saying I think we've found Seaman's true heir. You can just sense the confidence he transmits to the players around him.

That GIF is just immense. Arrrgggghhhh I'm brimming with pride, joy, everything - Wilshere, Szczesny, everyone, it's just too much.

The way he pulled back from that potentially penalty-conceding challenge at the end was very impressive. He made himself large, preventing the attacker from lifting the ball over him, but still managed to control his body and prevent himself from making contact with Alves. He generally made himself big when faced with Barca attackers.

Really impressive.

Obviously I can't speak so much for this game but whatever his performance, he doesn't look phased by any occasion. Would love to view the clip Klaus is talking about.

The best thing about the gif is that you just know that Szczesny is celebrating like that because he thinks it was his throw half a minute earlier that was the real reason we scored. He's convinced it's a moral assist.

Yeah, I'm going to join in the praise...

He just fills me with confidence, something I haven't had with our 'keepers since Jens.

He's developing a brilliant mongrel accent.

After tonight's match, Szczesny will be looking around him and seeing 15-20 years as Arsenal's #1 looming. Had a couple of tricky saves to make right at the death (albeit the second was offside) and he delivered.

He could have a longer Arsenal future ahead of him than any player currently at the club.